Chapter 4: The First Step
A character's eyes were warily opening and closing before waking up fully to see a Nora Valkry fill their view. For Nora's outfit, Nora had orange hair and blue eyes similar to Weiss's eyes. She wears a collared black sleeveless vest, with a blue central front section with red accents, her vest has her emblem, on the back. Under the vest, she wears a white sleeveless t-shirt with a heart-shaped cutout above her breast line in the center accompanied by a pair of white detached sleeves on each arm, and a pair of light pink fingerless gloves. She sports a short pink skirt with a single white layer under it. Her white ankle boots sport pink soles with part of her emblem, the lightning bolt, on them and low heels with pink laces, the tops are folded over revealing the pink lining. She also wears a silver armor piece that wraps around her waist, under her breasts, and around the back on her neck with metal connecting each piece together at the front.
"Wake up, Lazy butt!" Nora shouted.
Lie Ren gets up with a groan as Nora hounds him. For Ren's outfit, Ren had black hair that he wore in a ponytail and had a pink strip on the right side of his hair. He had pink eyes and wore a dark green, diagonally buttoned, long-sleeved tailcoat that is red on the inside, with black and gold trimming and pink cuffs. The trimming goes down the right side of his torso and forms a black collar. Along with this, he wears a black, long-sleeved shirt beneath the suit and light tan pants with black shoes.
"It's morning! It's morning! It's morning! It's morning!" Nora sang happily. Lie Ren sighs again and the scene changes to him brushing his teeth in the restroom while Nora continues to talk.
"I can't believe we've been at Beacon for a full 24 hours! Not that I'd thought we'd get kicked out or anything, I mean, you're the perfect student... and I'm well, me! But it's just crazy, you know!" Nora said happily.
The scene changes to the ballroom, where the two are readying themselves. Nora is brushing her hair and still chattering while Ren is tightening the strings on his sleeping bag.
"We've been friends for soooooo long! What are the odds we'd still be together? Well, not "Together together..."
The scene changes again as the two are in the middle of eating their breakfast, Nora having a pancake hanging from her mouth as she is still talking.
"Right! What was I thinking?" Nora's voice was muffled from her food when she said that. "But still, I hope we end up on the same team together."
Nora slurps up the rest of her pancake. "Oooh! We should come up with some sort of a plan, to make sure we end up on the same team together! What if we bribe the headmaster? No, that won't work. He has the school."
The scene changes again as the two are readying themselves in the locker room, Ren loading StormFlower and Nora still talking.
"I know! We'll have some sort of signal! Like a distress signal!" Nora suddenly gasps. "A secret signal so we can find each other in the forest! Can you imitate a sloth?"
"Nora?" Ren said, finally replying to her.
"Yes, Ren?" Nora said. Ren sheathing his weapons in his sleeves.
"I don't think sloths make a lot of noise," Ren said.
Nora thinks for a moment before finally speaking. "That's why it's perfect! No one will suspect we're working together."
Ren smiles and shuts his locker. "Come on Nora, let's go," Ren said.
"Not 'together-together," Nora said, giggling. Ren heads out while a skipping Nora follows, passing me, Ruby, and Yang as we are busy getting ready ourselves too. I got out my sword, as well as my shield and lasso. I strapped my web-shooters around my wrists.
"Nora was pretty chatty today," I said.
"Wonder what those two are so worked up about?" Ruby said.
"Oh, who knows? So, you seem awfully chipper this morning." Yang said.
"Yep! No more awkward small talk or "getting-to-know-you" stuff. Today, I get to let my sweetheart do the talking." Ruby said. Ruby stroked Cresent Rose while smiling happily.
"Well, remember, Ruby, you're not the only one going through initiation. If you wanna grow up, you're gonna have to meet new people and work together." Yang said. Ruby sighs in frustration.
"Ugh, you sound like Dad!" Ruby shouted. Ruby shoves her weapon into the locker. "Okay, first of all: What does meeting new people have to do with fighting? And secondly: I don't need people to help me grow up! I drink milk!"
"But what about when we form teams?" Yang asked.
"Wait, we have teams?" I said, nervously.
"Yes. Didn't you hear about that?" Yang said.
"No..." I said. I didn't like the idea of being put on a team. Ruby was suddenly nervous too. I could tell she was thinking the same thing.
"Um, I don't know, I... I'll just be on your team or something," Ruby said. Yang brings her hair around her shoulder and strokes it.
"Maybe you should try being on someone else's team?" Yang suggested.
"My dearest sister Yang, are you implying that you do not wish to be on the same team as me?" Ruby said angrily.
"What? No, of course I do! I dunno I just thought... I don't know, maybe it would help you... break out of your shell!" Yang said.
"What the-?! I don't need to break out of my shell! That's absolutely-" Ruby was cut off when Jaune walked by, interrupting her. Jaune is holding a map in his hands and looking lost.
"Ridiculous! There's no way I put my gear in locker 636 yesterday! I would've remembered having to count that high! Why does this have to happen today?" Jaune groaned. Jaune passes Weiss Schnee and the red-haired girl. The red-haired girl looked really pretty and nice.
I know I'm shy, but I wanted to say hi to her. I walked up to her slowly. Before I could get a word out, Weiss rudely stepped in front of me, blocking my path. I glared at Weiss.
"Um, excuse me?!" I shouted, annoyed. Weiss ignored me and started talking to the red-haired girl.
"So, Pyrrha, have you given any thought to who's team you'd like to be on? I'm sure everyone must be eager to unite with such a strong, well-known individual such as yourself!" Weiss said eagerly.
"Hmm... I'm not quite sure. I was planning on letting the chips fall where they may." Pyrrha said.
"Well... I was thinking we could be on a team together." Weiss said.
"Well, that sounds grand!" Pyrrha said.
"Great!" Weiss said. The background disappears into a thundercloud. Weiss adapts a scheming pose and manic smile in her head.
"This will be perfect! The smartest girl in class combined with the smallest girl in class! Together we will be unstoppable! I can see it now! We'll be popular! We'll be celebrities! We'll get perfect grades! Nothing can come between us now!"
Jaune comes between them, interrupting Weiss's evil train of thought. "You know what else is great? Me. Jaune Arc. Nice to meet you." Jaune said.
"You again?" Weiss said, annoyed.
"Nice to meet you, Jaune!" Pyrrha said. I smiled and encouraged myself to speak up.
"Hello. Pyrrha, was it?" I said.
"Yes," Pyrrha said.
"I'm Lana!" I said with a smile. Weiss gave me an annoyed look. I stuck my tongue out at her before turning my attention back to Pyrrha.
"So Pyrrha, do you want to be on a team with me?" I asked.
"Sure!" Pyrrha said.
"Yeah, yeah," Jaune said. Jaune pushes past me and Pyrrha and talks to Weiss, posing slightly. "So, Weiss, couldn't help but hear your fondness over me the other day."
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me!" Weiss said, putting her hand on her face.
"Don't worry! No need to be embarrassed! So, been hearing rumors about teams! I was thinking you and me would be a good one! What do you say?" Jaune said.
"Actually, I think the teams are comprised of four students each, so-" Pyrrha got Jaunes's attention but was interrupted when he advanced on his new target which was Pyrrha.
"You don't say. Well, hot stuff. Play your cards right and maybe you could join up in the winning team." Jaune said. Weiss separates the two.
"Jaune, is it? Do you have any idea who you're talking to?" Weiss said.
"Not in the slightest, Snow Angle," Jaune said.
"This is Pyrrha," Weiss said.
"Hello again!" Pyrrha said, waving.
"Pyrrha graduated at the top of her class at Sanctum!" Weiss said. Jaune and I looked at each other, confused. Weiss scoffed.
"Never heard of it," Jaune said.
"She's won the Mistral Region Tournaments four years in a row!" Weiss said.
"The what?" I said. Weiss waved her arms rapidly in anger.
"She's on the front of every Pumpkin Peets Marshmallow Flakes box!" Weiss yelled. Jaune gasps suddenly.
"That's you! But they only do that for star athletes and cartoon characters!" Jaune said. I have no idea what all this means. I am confused at the conversation.
"Yeah, it was pretty cool. Sadly, the cereal isn't very good for you." Pyrrha said.
"So, after hearing all this do you really think you're in the position to ask her to be on your team?" Weiss said.
"I guess not... sorry," Jaune said. Jaune hangs his head in defeat. Pyrrha puts her hand on his shoulder.
"Actually Jaune, I'd think you'd make a great leader," Pyrrha said. Jaune immediately brightens back up.
"D'oh stop it!" Jaune said.
"Seriously, please stop it! This kind of behavior should not be encouraged!" Weiss said. For once, I agreed with Weiss.
"You know, maybe Weiss has got a point, so your gonna have to stay focused if you want to be the leader," I said.
"Sounds like Pyrrha's on board for team Jaune. Spots are filling up quick! Now, I'm not supposed to do this, but maybe I could pull some strings, find a place for you. What do you say?" Jaune said. Jaune steps closer to Weiss.
"All right! That's a bit too close! Pyrrha, a little help please." Weiss said. Jaune looks back just in time to see Milo sending him flying.
"Ouch," I said, watching the sight.
"I'm sorry!" Pyrrha called. My attention was drawn to the announcement playing on the intercom system.
"Would all first-year students please report to Beacon Cliff for Initiation? Again, all first-year students report to Beacon Cliff immediately." Glynda said. Weiss passes Jaune as he hangs from the wall of a locker on her way out. Pyrrha follows her, grabbing her spear and dropping Jaune to the ground.
"It was nice meeting you!" Pyrrha called.
"Bye, Pyrrha!" I said, waving to her. I really liked Pyrrha. She was a lot nicer than Weiss, that's for sure. Jaune slumps down on the locker.
"Likewise..." Jaune said. I walked over to Jaune.
"You okay, dude?" I asked.
"Yeah," Jaune said with a sigh. Ruby and Yang approach me from behind.
"Having some trouble there, lady-killer?" Yang said.
"I don't understand. My dad said all women look for his confidence! Where did I go wrong?" Jaune said. Jaune accepts Ruby's hand and uses it to lift himself up.
"Snow angle" Probably wasn't the best start," Yang said.
"Come on Jaune, let's go," Ruby said. Ruby leads Jaune out of the locker room by supporting him and his damaged self-esteem. I patted Jaune on his back to comfort him.
"Just walk it off, bud," I said.
Several students- some old and new-and some unseen are on the Beacon Cliff, are standing on silver tiles in front of Professor Ozpin who is holding a mug in his hand, and Glynda who is holding her tablet.
"For years, you have trained to become warriors, and today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest." Professor Ozpin said.
"Now, I'm sure many of you have heard the rumors about the assignment of "teams." Well, allow us to put an end to your confusion. Each of you will be given teammates... today." Glynda said.
"What? Ohhh..." Ruby groaned.
"These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon. So it is in your best interest to be paired with someone with who you can work well." Professor Ozpin explained. Ruby lets out a groan.
"That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years." Professor Ozpin said. I nearly fainted when he said this. Four years?! Ruby has a shocked expression on her face, with the mirrors of her world breaking apart.
"What?!" Ruby screamed.
"Are you freaking serious?!" I yelled.
"See, I told you," Nora said to Ren.
"After you've partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest. You will meet opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path... or you will die." Professor Ozpin explained. Jaune laughs nervously and then gulps loudly.
"You will be monitored and graded through the duration of your initiation, but our instructors will not intervene. You will find an abandoned temple at the end of the path, containing several relics. Each pair must choose one and return to the top of the cliff. We will regard that item, as well as your standing, and grade you appropriately. Are there any questions?" Professor Ozpin said.
Jaune raised his hand. "Yeah, um, sir?" Jaune said.
"Good! Now take your positions." Professor Ozpin said. Everyone strikes a pose on their tile. Nora crouches low, Ren wields his weapon, Yang raises her fists, and Ruby readies her body. I took the same pose as Ruby. Jaune is still raising his hand.
"Uh, sir? I've got, um... a question." Jaune said. He misses the tile under Weiss rising up into a springboard, rocketing into the air and over the forest, as the platforms activate down the tile line. My heart pounded into my chest while I watched everyone being launched individually. I had to admit, I was nervous.
"So, this... landing strategy thing... uh, wha- what is it? You're like dropping us off or something?" Jaune asked.
"No. You will be falling." Professor Ozpin said. Jaune misses more students being thrown.
"Oh, uh, I see... so like, did you hand out parachutes for us?" Jaune asked.
"No. You will be using your own landing strategy." Professor Ozpin said. Jaune was still not seeing an excited Nora and Ren getting launched.
"Uh-huh... Yeah." Jaune said. At her turn, Yang winks at me and her younger sister. She puts on a pair of aviators and flies off.
"Who-hoooooo!" Yang shouted.
"See you on the other side, Ruby!" I shouted before Ruby joined her. Before I know it, it is my turn. I was taken by surprise when the platform launched me into the air.
"Holy shiiit!" I screamed as I was flying high in the sky.
"So what exactly is a landing stragiYYY!" Jaune screamed. He asks this part just when he finally hurled with a cloud of students now making their way down into the forest below under the eyes of the teachers.
Professor Ozpin, for his part simply takes a sip of his drink.